ABB to supply cable for offshore wind farm extension in the UK

ABB has won an order worth around $30 million from wind power development company DONG Energy to supply a high-voltage export cable system that will transmit power from the Burbo Bank Extension Offshore Wind Farm in the UK.

The project scope includes the design, engineering, supply and commissioning of the 25 km long, 220 kVAC submarine cable and the related offshore substation cable. ABB will also supply 32 km of AC underground cables and the associated substation cables as well as the cable joints, accessories and terminations related to the project.

The Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm is situated on the Burbo Flats in Liverpool Bay at the mouth of the Mersey River, approximately 6.4 km from the Sefton coastline and 7.2 km from North Wirral. Burbo Bank receives the full force of the wind from the Irish Sea in the west, making it an ideal location for offshore wind power generation.

The Burbo Bank extension covers an area of 40 km² and has an estimated generating capacity of up to 258 mW - enough electricity to meet the needs of approximately 240,000 households.

The proposed project would be located west of the operational Burbo Bank offshore wind farm in Liverpool Bay, around 7 km north of the North Wirral coast, 8.5 km from Crosby beach and 12.2 km from the Point of Ayr on the Welsh coast.

“Offshore wind is making an increasing contribution to boost the share of renewables in Europe’s energy mix and this project will support the UK government’s efforts in this area,” said Claudio Facchin, head of ABB’s Power Systems division.